Out With the Old, In With the New: Update Our Music Library!
My students need updated pep band and concert band music for the 2015-2016 school year.
FULLY FUNDED! Mr. Dyson's classroom raised $929
This project is fully funded
My Students
The students I serve are some of the most sincere, accepting, and energetic students I have ever taught. The energy they bring to class is infectious, especially when playing exciting music that they can relate to on a musical and personal level. When this happens, their best is brought out.
As I already said, my band is a special group of people.
This culture is not just reflective of my band program, but of the school as a whole. Part of this is due to our unique school demographic. Our school is rich in diversity, allowing for numerous experiences in multicultural education. The demographics of our school speak very loudly. As of 2013, 31.4% of our students are Asian, 31.6% are Asian/Pacific Islander, 34.1% are African American, 16.6% are Hispanic, and 15% are White. 63.4% of our students are enrolled in the free/reduced price lunch program.
While I like to celebrate the diversity of my school, I lament the very small amount of funding we receive. Please don't misunderstand me...many, many schools are negatively affected by this. Still, it is near impossible to effectively run a band program on the small budget we are allotted. Meanwhile, other schools, who are mere miles away, have all the funding they require for their band programs.
My Project
Unfortunately, due to our small budget, I have not been able to update our music library with relevant, exciting music that my students deserve. I aim to begin changing that reality through this Donors Choose project. The funds raised for this project will be applied towards the purchase of music that will be performed all throughout next year (as well as in years to come). The music I have selected is diverse in nature, aiming to entertain and challenge students and audiences alike. For example, I have selected new pop tunes such as the hits "Uptown Funk" and Psy's "Gangnam Style." I have also selected more traditional literature like the classic Spanish March "Amparito Roca" and Steven Bryant's ambient and contemplative concert band piece "The Marbled Midnight Mile." Updating our library in such a way will allow me to continue inspiring students to continue studying music.
Whether it be on the concert stage or in a football stadium, all music students deserve to perform music that is personally relevant and exciting to them as individuals.
They deserve to be challenged and excited through their music education. By donating to this project, you will help ensure that my students are offered the best and most relevant music education possible. I believe that, with inspiring music, this pursuit will be successful. Thank you for your contribution.
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Dyson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
